Advanced Multi-Modal Contextual Behavioral Analysis and Supports for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders.Participants will learn to conduct a comprehensive multi-modal contextual behavioural assessment to guide decisions about treatment. Participants will learn to design treatment procedures based on the assessment to enhance personal competencies and reduce challenging behaviors in persons with developmental disabilites and autism. Advanced topics covered will include the biopsychosocial model, skills training, anxiety and anger management, self-management training, motivational/emotional modification and mediator training. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Advocacy and Influencing Systems to Support Persons with a Dual Diagnosis. The nature of intra- and inter-organizational coordination and cooperation in support of persons who have developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. Designed for staff, supervisors, managers and other professionals involved in individual and system-wide advocacy initiatives. Topics to be covered include policy development in the field of developmental disabilities, self-advocacy, systemic, legislative and legal advocacy.

Approaches to Assessment and Counselling for People with Dual Diagnosis who have Experienced Abuse.This week will include discussion of challenges related to the diagnosis of mental health concerns in people who have intellectual disabilities and especially those who have experienced trauma and abuse. This will include examination of DM-ID criteria for PTSD. Approaches to therapy will be reviewed with a particular focus on the accommodations necessary to address the needs of people with dual diagnosis. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Approaches to Family Counselling in Dual Diagnosis.The focus of this week will be on understanding the nature of family systems; the impact on families of having a family member with a dual diagnosis and the importance of the family to the person with the diagnosis; approaches to assessment; support and intervention with families. Participants will be introduced to major theoretical orientations to family counselling and the intervention techniques associated with them. There will also be a focus on the use of creativity, story telling, humour and metaphor in working with families. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Intellectual Disabilities.In 2007 NADD published the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Intellectual Disabilities to provide guidance on the application of the DSM criteria to persons with intellectual disabilities. The manual was a collaborative effort between NADD, the American Psychiatric Association, and a host of experts in the field of dual diagnosis. This session will provide intensive training on all aspects of the new DM-ID. Instructors will be professionals from the expert panels that created the new manual. A copy of the abridged manual will be given to each participant.

Heredity and Behavior: Insights Gained from Genetic Syndromes.Advances in genetics have led to the delineation of many specific biological causes of developmental disabilities. Among these are several intriguing syndromes, which are characterized by specific, and often unusual, cognitive and psychiatric features. Recognition of the physiological basis for these behaviors has important practical implications for those affected and for the study of behavior in the general population. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Incorporating Behavioural Phenotypes into Applied Behaviour Analysis. This course will provide a foundation of common genetic syndromes associated with dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and challenging behaviour/psychiatric involvement. Knowledge of the unique genetic interplay of syndromes to the environment, methods of learning and social engagement provide an important element to a comprehensive understanding of the antecedents and contributing conditions of severe challenging behaviour. This course, co-taught by a genetic counselor with a certified applied behaviour analyst, will provide the participant with insights into the underpinnings of severe challenging behaviour in people with genetic syndromes. These insights can offer keys to unlocking the individualized function of the behaviour. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Principles and Processes of Applied Behaviour Analysis. This course covers the principles, processes, concepts and methods of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) - the scientific application of learning principles to solve a wide range of human problems and enhance well-being. The principles and methods will be illustrated through everyday life and clinical examples. The course is consistent with the specifications of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board in the United States.

Self Injury and Aggression in Persons with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. The session will explore the most common factors responsible for the maintenance of self-injury and aggression, describe methods for protection from risk during assessment, identify the defining features of indirect, descriptive, and functional analysis approaches to assessment and the major strengths and limitations of each general approach to assessment. Participants will learn to explore assessment using indirect (rating scale and questionnaire) procedures, through descriptive (direct observation) analysis procedures, and how to conduct an assessment using functional analysis procedure, and to to develop treatment strategies that flow from the functional assessments. Participants will also learn how a functional assessment may be useful in developing an integrated behavioral and pharmacological treatment strategy. General aggression and self-injury are the main focus of the course, however some consideration will be given to persons who present with sexual self-injury and aggression. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Supporting Family Systems Where There is a Dual Diagnosis. Understanding and supporting families who have a member with a dual diagnosis. Sensitization to the complex issues facing family members as they address the challenges of diagnosis, intervention planning and advocacy. Topics include grieving issues, special challenges facing parents, siblings, and other family members, counseling issues for families and family centered management processes.

Behavioural Assessment and Treatment of Sex Offenders with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Understanding developmental disability and sex offending behaviour. The workshop covers assessment methods, including risk assessment, assessments for inappropriate sexual behaviour and pathways to offending in the client group. A review of the theoretical framework for treatment and present an up to date summary of research knowledge. Participants will be presented with treatment methods and the way in which approaches have to be changed to suit difficulties in understanding and literacy. As well as, exercises on disclosure, intervention for behavioural cycles and behavioural scripts, challenging cognitions, relapse prevention and the development of Quality of Life (Good Lives Model) in the context of reducing recidivism. Sexual knowledge assessment and education will also be explored as will the ethics of treatment. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Interactive Behavior Therapy. Participants will be trained to use Interactive Behavior Therapy and to use peer supervision to support its implementation. Interactive-Behavioral Therapy employs applied behavior analysis by identifying and strengthening passive interactive social behaviors (e.g., eye contact) as well as active means of social interaction (e.g., moving a chair to allow for another member to fit into the group comfortably.) Additionally, behavioral strengthening of member-to-member (M-M) verbal interactions while fading member to facilitator (M-F) actions is measured through the use of baseline comparison. Outcome studies suggest attention to strengthening these and other indicators of socially interactive behaviors leads directly to fewer negative symptoms. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Demystifying Psychiatric Syndromes in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism. Persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are vulnerable to the same mental health conditions as anyone else. Specialized interviewing techniques can be use to accurately assess the presence of symptoms in persons who use limited or no speech. In addition, behaviorally significant co-occurring medical problems and medication side effects are more common in persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities than in other mental health referral populations. Finally, certain genetic syndromes confer additional stresses which, if properly recognized, can be addressed effectively, often without additional medications. This week of seminars will focus on specialized interviewing and other diagnostic techniques, recognition of co-occurring medical conditions, and understanding of the significance of certain genetic syndromes. Ideas regarding health promoting treatment strategies will be offered. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Multimodal Assessment and Treatment of Psychological/Behavioral Difficulties in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism. This weeks session describes the rationale for and components of a multimodal assessment and treatment case formulation model used to identify critical biomedical and psychological features that place a person at increased risk for acts of aggression and related disruptive behaviors. The model is presented as an alternative to various unimodal medical, mental illness, behavioral, and psychotherapy approaches. This multimodal case formulation process results in development of a set of interventions that consist of interrelated triads of emotional-cognitive-behavioral competencies as replacements for the biopsychological risk conditions. Case illustrations of its use will be provided. The use of observational data in treatment of behavioral difficulties in persons with ID will be discussed using observational procedures to enhance environmental and related treatment programming for persons with ID who present with persisting behavior difficulties. Neurodevelopmental effects on mental health and challenging behaviors will suggest that by understanding the unique neurodevelopmental profiles of persons served often results in improvement both in diagnostic assessment and inform treatment planning. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Abuse Awarness, identification & Reporting: Rights & Biopsychosocial Perspectives. The recently ratified United Nations Declaration of Rights for Persons with Disabilities ensures the fundamental right to be free from abuse and neglect. Keeping individuals with intellectual disabilities safe from maltreatment requires every person in a supportive role to have the knowledge and awareness of physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, financial abuses and neglect. In this course, participants will gain a clear understanding of the Quality Assurance measures that will ensure the right to an environment free and safe from abuse. Topics to be covered include biopsychosocial vulnerabilities to abuse, such as specific behavioural phenotypes, mental health issues, or environmental factors; abuse awareness, identification and reporting of abuse and neglect; as well as legal obligations to reporting abuse. Participants will also develop skills in the administration of the Social Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Assessment Tool (SSKAAT-R) in order to identify abuse or vulnerability to abuse. Finally, the human rights and ethical issues that often present when dealing with the complex issue of abuse will be examined. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)